Ok, the airfare is bought and paid for (less than $400 r/t from LA to Boston non-stop - YEAH!), the hotel reservations are made, and now I'm trying to firm up the plans for my Boston/Philly/DC vacation in May. I have a couple of questions I'm hoping all the experts here can help me with.

1. I've decided to take the train between Boston & Philly & DC. Is it best to make reservations and purchase beforehand? If so, do the rates change, and what would be the best time to buy? Travel agent has stated this part would be best left up to me.

2. I've noted that the MBTA offers a 3 day pass for $11.00 (can be purchased on-line), and that the DC Metrorail offers a 7 day pass (unlimited) for $25.00. I do not plan on renting a car, and these days correspond to the lengths of time I will be in these cities, approximately. Are purchasing them in advance a good idea? Is it best to wait until I get to either city? Or should I just "pay as I go"?

3. Will definitely go to Mt Vernon while in DC. I noted that the tours run from $22 to $25 per person. I also noted that I can take the Metro, then take a .50 bus ride that takes me right to the entrance of Mt Vernon. Also noted that admission is $9.00 ($8.50 for seniors) Is it better to go with the tours and pay more than twice as much? (The tours I've seen last 4 hours, and am not sure what they cover) Would the experience be just as good if I do this "on my own"?

Thanks to everyone who volunteered info before - I received SO many helpful tips and insights. It was great! Any suggestions/comments would be appreciated!

Thanks!
Michele

Metro in DC - probably can get pass when you get there. Pass vending machines in the Metro are easy to use. Mount Vernon - advantage of tour is that it will take you door to door, probably time-saver. The plantation is fairly well-marked with explanatory info, also some good books about it are sold in the gift shop there. An alternative (if you hike / bike) is the jogging/bike trail that runs from Lincoln Memorial to Mount Vernon, short distance is thru Alexandria. Lots of locals use it, our bike club about once a year drives up to Mount Vernon, parks there, bikes to Lincoln Memorial, eats lunch, & comes back. Lots of fun! The Potomac Pedalers is the DC area bike club (LOTS of members), search for their web site if interested in obtaining map.

Boston info:
You can buy T passes when you arrive. However, unless you are going to ride the T more than 11 times, it's not worth the $$ for the pass (it's $1 each time you ride if you pay as you go). So, it all comes down to if you're going to ride the T a lot! If you like to walk, you can easily walk to and from most of the places I'll be you'll be visiting. For a big city, Boston is very walkable. As far as Amtrack is concerned, you can look at their website: www.amtrack.com It lists schedules and fares etc. Try and take the Acela train (it's a little more $$$ but a lot faster). You're not planning on spending some time in NY??? Great city and you'll be going right through it on the train. Hope this helps!

You've gotten good advice so far. You can wait on buying the Metro and T passes until you get to the cities. As Betsy has mentioned, however, you probably won't ride public transportation that much in Boston, which is a very small city geographically.
As for the Mount Vernon trip, yes, it's probably worth the extra money in terms of convenience and time to take the tour.
And finally, the train between Boston and Philadelphia: Unless you a traveling at peak time (i.e., the beginning and end of a weekend, you probably don't need reservations FAR in advance. However, it's probably best to check with Amtrak.

Michele, regarding transportation in Washington and going to Mount Vernon, Joy is correct that there's no reason to buy your pass before you get to Washington. The question is whether you'll need one.

Metro is designed principally to provide government workers with quick transport from DC's suburbs into the city; it wasn't designed with toursists in mind. So, you should check to see whether your hotel is located near a Metro station, and whether it's easier and faster to take the subway to and from the Mall area than to walk.

As to Mount Vernon, remember that the four-hour visit includes half an hour travel time in each direction. You're going to Washington at its best time of year, which means a) the grounds are going to be at their prettiest and most explorable, and b) the crowds are going to be at their worst. Personally, I'd opt for the subway/bus, even knowing that the trip is an hour-plus is each direction (the Fairfax Connector isn't designed with tourists in mind, either). Joy's idea about biking the Mt. Vernon Trail is fine if you have access to a bike; the walk from Old Town Alexandria is roughly eight miles in each direction and follows the Potomac.

A week should give you time to see Washington in depth; three days will give you a snapshot of Boston but not much more. Enjoy the trip.

About Boston, agree with others. Assuming you have a "central" hotel, you probably won't use the T that much.
Take a cab from the airport. Get maps and your bearings. Most hotels have concierges showing the sites. Take a tour, do the BOSTON DUCK TOURS (these have to be reserved the day of the trip, you go to the ticket desk in the Prudential Center and get a time for your tour. These are exlpensive but worth it.) Go to the Faniel Hall area and shop, eat. Go to Harvard Square and walk around. Eat at "Fire and Ice". Go to the Museum of Fine Arts (on T line). go to a Red Sox game if they are in town. (go to their website for tickets (www.redsox.com).
The train is a good way to get to Phila. Goes thru NYC, ma;y or may not have to "connect".
Good luck.

I agree with Neil about NOT taking the tour package to Mt. Vernon. I did that a couple of years ago (the boat trip) and though the boat trip was fine, Mt. Vernon was packed and I didn't get to see everything I wanted to. Take the metro/bus and go at your pace. Try to go in the middle of the week for less crowds. Try to get there when it first opens.

I don't think anyone has answered your questions about buying tickets for Amtrak. You do not usually need to buy a reserved seat if you're traveling on off-peak hours. If, however, you want to use Acela Regional on the Boston-DC corridor, you should reserve in advance. The Acela Regional costs a few bucks more and will shave off 45 minutes or so on that route, but since there are only a few trains per day, they do fill up. You can buy a ticket the day before, however, and get a reserved seat usually. If you miss that train, you can use the ticket on a later train the same day without penalty. The "true" Acela all-electric service that is now running on a limited basis is much faster but extremely expensive, priced for expense accounts, not everyday travelers. It might be helpful to print out the schedules from Amtrak's web site before you go, but I wouldn't worry about purchasing tickets before your trip; just buy as you need.

WOW! You guys and gals are great! Just wanted to give all a hearty "thanks"!

Guess I still have a little more homework to do - but that's the best part sometimes. I love the idea of cycling to Mt. Vernon, but my 66 yr old mother may have different ideas about that. (hmmmm...maybe a return trip?) Also, thanks for the tips on the public transportation. We are very centrally located in Boston, so I suspect we won't be using the T 11 times or more. So, guess that would be money not well spent.

Thanks all!
Michele

Michelle,

Since your mother is 66, she qualifies for senior rates. Most of the time you have to ask for them. Book the hotel in her name for the senior rate (AARP).
Sould get discounted rates for subways too! In some places (I'm not sure about Boston, Philly, or DC) senior fare is 1/2 - 3/4 off, or even free. But you must ask.